Fleeting gains from grains

According to the article, ‘Farmers benefit from high prices' (24-29 April), European farmers would seem to have reasons to be cheerful. However, it is a fleeting joy. As the European Commission has highlighted, the increasing population growth, shifts in consumer habits and demands and unpredictable weather patterns are just some of the challenges that growers face. Despite all those pressures, the economist at the International Grains Council predicts higher harvests for 2008.